- Title: From violence to coexistence: Mosul celebrates diversity
- Date: 29th September 2019
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF SUFISM BUREAU IN IRAQ'S NINEVEH, RAMI AL-ABADI, SAYING: "One of the great things about this festival is that all factions of the city of Nineveh attended the celebration, Arabs, Kurds, Turkomens, Shabak, Yazidis, Christians and Muslims. All of them attended and brought their traditions and uniforms. This is a message to the whole world that Mosul is a city of peace, a city which rejects terrorism and denies any idea which impinges on the city's dignity or causes havoc to it." YOUNG MEN AT BAZAAR SHOWING YOUNG GIRL A TRICK BY LIGHTING HER HAND ON FIRE VARIOUS OF PAINTINGS ON DISPLAY MAN TAKING A PICTURE OF A PAINTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CO-ORDINATOR OF THE FESTIVAL, SAQIR ZAKARIYA, SAYING: "This place was an area used by Daesh (IS militants) for training their fighters, especially the new recruits. So, we are here in an area which was the most dangerous one in the city, maybe even the world. This area suffered a lot of destruction, but a team of young volunteers took it upon themselves to clean the area and decorate it." YOUNG MEN LOOKING AT PAINTINGS PAINTING REPRESENTING FAMOUS LANDMARKS IN THE CITY VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SELLING PRODUCTS IN BAZAAR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOSUL RESIDENT, ASEEL HAYTHEM, SAYING: "Such festivals will revive life and fun to the city of Mosul. I hope that this city will return better than before. We are now living in peace and security. I hope we will be united. So, these celebrations will bring life back to normal in Mosul and we can feel safe." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE DANCING AND CHEERING
- Embargoed: 13th October 2019 14:29
- Keywords: Community Festival Coexistence Dance Peace Sects Mosul Religion Arts
- Location: MOSUL, IRAQ
- City: MOSUL, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA004AYPMXJP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Residents of the once war-torn city of Mosul held their third World Peace Festival on Friday (September 27), celebrating diversity and coexistence through music, dance, and art.
The festival was held in one of Mosul's verdant eastern forests, which was once occupied by Islamic State militants for the purpose of training fighters during times of war, said the co-ordinator of the festival, Saqir Zakariya.
The northern Iraqi city was liberated approximately two years ago after being occupied by Islamic State militants for three years. Under the militant group's strict interpretation of Islamic law, religious diversity was rare.
The festival is part of a joint effort by residents of the city to promote peace, security, and coexistence post-liberation, and was organised by a group of 100 young volunteers.
Artists and musicians of different religions and sects brought the festival to life, showcasing the city's unique culture and heritage through musical performances, talent shows, as well as art exhibitions and booths.
Many from different backgrounds participated in the festival, from Arabs, Kurds, and Turkomen to Shebak, Yazidis, Christians and Muslims, said the Head of the Sufism bureau in Iraq's Nineveh, Rami al-Abadi.
Mosul was long celebrated as a centre of Iraqi culture but was suppressed even before Islamic State declared its caliphate in 2014, with Al Qaeda targeting musicians in the wake of a U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
The festival ran from September 27 to 28, and was attended by thousands from Mosul and other Iraqi provinces.
(Nadeen Ebrahim, Mohamed Katfan, Maher Nazeh, Kawa Omar) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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